COLLECTABLE
PERFUME&SCENT BOTTLES

Started:
09 April 2007Ended: 19 April 2007

Scent bottles have been cultivated as objects of desire throughout the ages. These elaborate vessels containing a mixture of precious oils and exotic scents have been an important part of our culture since time began.

Auction Atrium is offering a spectacular array of period Scent bottles including a collection of ornate 18th & 19th century European silver and silver topped bottles. The sale also offers a fine selection of 20th century commercial perfume bottles including Art Deco examples by R. Lalique and Baccarat.

This is the first specialist Auction mounted in London in 7 years. Viewing is from the 9th April when the auction goes live on our bespoke website. You may also view the sale in our showroom at 58-60 Kensington Church St. London W8 4DB.

The golden age of the modern perfume industry took place between 1900-1935.

France was seminal for the production of perfume and Paris was the core of this thriving industry. The chic boutiques and perfumeries of the Place Vendome created the backdrop for what was to become the prototype for mass branding in this area of luxury goods. It was fate that the jeweller Rene Lalique had located his shop near to the perfumer Francois Coty and what began as a simple request to design labels, extended into the complete repackaging of his perfume range. This included the manufacture of stylish, luxurious and affordable bottles.

The
first models were made using the lost wax method of casting. This proved too
labor intensive so Later models were then produced as pressed and moulded glass,
which could then be hand finished, frosted, then stained.

Lalique, the entrepreneur, rented the Combe La Ville glassworks and continued
experimenting with the technology used by the wine and pharmaceutical industries.
Lalique also produced bottles for Guerlain perfume, Roger & Gallet, D'Orsay,
Lubin, Molinard, and others.

It was not long before bottling and branding became more important than the perfume
itself. Baccarat also produced luxurious bottles for Guerlain, including the
best selling Shalimar. Other glassworks, such as Brosse, created the bottles
for Jeanne Lanvin's Arpege range of perfume. The novelty perfume bottle emerged
between the Wars. Schiaparelli used her contacts with artists to design witty
bottles of distinction, some designed by Salvador Dali.

The modern commercial perfume bottle has evolved utilising all of these traditions.
Many of the unusual designs capture the zeitgeist of our culture. Over the
last 30 years these objects of desire have become highly collectable. Sales
are held annually in both the US and in Europe. Collectors clubs and newsletters
abound..